Dungeons & Dragons 5e | Down Came a Blackbird

About the adventure

A Saltmarsh Adventure by Stacey Allan Down Came a Blackbird is an adventure set in the Forgotten Realms. Events take place in the small fishing town of Saltmarsh, the surrounding marshlands, and the Sea of Swords. This adventure is designed for a party of 4-5 players, level 1-4 (APL 3). The characters arrive in Saltmarsh after the murders at the town’s periphery. The bird attacks are becoming brazen and the townsfolk are starting to panic. As the characters investigate, they uncover details of the diabolical transmutation ritual and finally face off against Kraggen and Salty Maude.

Additional Details

How to prepare

Players should have access to a microphone (cameras are optional), a Discord account, and D&D Beyond. Fantasy Grounds Unity is optional. Standard array is recommended when creating characters A digital consent form will be sent out to players and should be completed by session zero. Session zero will be scheduled before the adventure start date.

What I provide

I will provide a Discord server for voice and video, Fantasy Ground Unity for maps and visuals, dice rolls by players can be done with the D&D Beyond digital dice, real dice, or FGU dice for players that have an account (but it is optional). I will also send out a digital consent form that players should complete before session zero.

Gameplay details

This is a mystery one-shot where players try to free a fishing village of a plague of bird attacks orchestrated by Salty Maude. Players are not required to use Fantasy Grounds, but should create their characters in D&D Beyond prior to session zero. A digital consent form will be sent to all players, and a session zero to introduce the players will be scheduled prior to the adventure.

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

Lines and Veils
Session 0
X, N, and O Cards

How will character creation work

Character creation will be done in D&D Beyond. Guidance is available, especially for first-time players, and can be scheduled prior to session zero. Players with access to Fantasy Grounds Unity may create their characters there. FGU is not required to play the game. It is recommended that players start at level 3, but it is up to individual preference.

Players can expect

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